WO1996001660A1

WO1996001660A1 - Carrier for drip-feed apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1996001660A1
Application number: PCT/EP1995/002611
Authority: WO
Inventors: Willemina Jacoba Nieuwoudt
Original assignee: Octrooibureau Kisch N.V.
Priority date: 1994-07-08
Filing date: 1995-07-04
Publication date: 1996-01-25
Also published as: ZA955393B; AU2981895A

Abstract

A carrier (10.1) for drip-feed apparatus (30) comprises a harness (14) removably mountable on the body of a patient (28) and a suspension arm (12) secured to the harness. The arm (12), in use, extends upwardly and comprises a hook formation (16) for removably suspending the drip-feed apparatus (30).

Description

Carrier for drip-feed apparatus .

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

THIS invention relates to medical apparatus and more particularly to a

carrier for drip-feed apparatus.

The applicant is aware of the conventional suspension arms for drip-feed

apparatus permanently installed in wards close to the bed of a patient. The conventional drip-feed apparatus comprises a container for fluid to

be administered (generally intravenously) to a patient; a suitable applicator; and a tube extending between the container and the applicator. When this apparatus is carried by the aforementioned permanent installation and connected to a patient, the patient is restricted to his bed. Another known carrier comprises a wheeled or

portable post adapted to suspend the container. This carrier enables the

patient to walk about, while the drip-feed apparatus is connected to the patient. However, the disadvantages of this apparatus are that it is big,

awkward to handle and that at least one hand of the patient is occupied while manoeuvring the apparatus when walking with it. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide an

alternative carrier with which the applicant believes the aforementioned disadvantages will at least be alleviated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a carrier for drip-feed apparatus for use on a body of an animal, the carrier comprising a

support removably mountable on the body to be carried by the body; and

a suspension arm secured to the support so that, in use, it extends

upwardly, the arm comprising means for removably holding drip-feed

apparatus.

In this specification, the term "animal" includes humans. The term drip-

feed apparatus comprises apparatus for administering, under the

influence of gravity, a fluid intravenously or otherwise (for example orally

or via the nose) to an animal.

The support may comprise a harness. The harness may comprise a core, two spaced shoulder engagement formations connected to the core and a waist belt. The suspension arm

may be secured to the core.

The suspension arm may be made from stainless steel and may comprise

an elongate member providing a suspension hook at a free end thereof.

The suspension arm may be adjustable in length, preferably in telescopic

manner.

In one embodiment the suspension arm is rigidly connected to the core and, in use, extends linearly and vertically upwardly.

In another embodiment, the arm may, in use, extend upwardly and

forwardly relative to the body of the patient.

In a third embodiment the arm may be mounted for pivotal movement relative to the harness so that the orientation of the arm relative to the

harness may be adjusted. In this embodiment, means for securing the arm in a selected orientation relative to the harness may also be

provided. The invention also extends to a kit comprising drip-feed apparatus and a carrier for the drip-feed apparatus as hereinbefore defined.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DIAGRAMS

The invention will now further be described, by way of example only,

with reference to the accompanying diagrams wherein:

figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a first embodiment of

the apparatus according to the invention;

figure 2 is a diagrammatic illustration from the rear of a patient

carrying the apparatus of figure 1 ; figure 3 is a diagrammatic illustration from the front of a patient

carrying the apparatus of figure 1 ; figure 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of a second embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention; and

figure 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of a third embodiment of the

apparatus according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

A first embodiment of apparatus according to the invention for carrying drip-feed apparatus is generally designated by the reference numeral 10.1

in figures 1 to 3 of the diagrams. The carrier 10.1 comprises a support in the form of a harness 14 for

supporting an elongate suspension arm 1 2. The suspension arm 12 is

mounted at one end thereof on the harness and at the other end thereof

provides a hook formation 16. In a region intermediate its ends a support

formation 18 is provided. The suspension arm 12 is preferably made of

stainless steel and is preferably also adjustable in length in telescopic

manner.

The harness 14 comprises a core 20 on which the suspension arm 12 is rigidly mounted. Two spaced and padded hook shaped shoulder

engagement formations 22.1 and 22.2 are connected to the core. Also connected to the core is a flexible waist strap 24 comprising a buckle 26.

As shown in figures 2 and 3, in use, the apparatus 10.1 according to the

invention is put onto a patient 28 with the shoulder engagement formations 22:1 and 22.2 engaging the shoulders 30.1 and 30.2 of the

patient 28. The core 20 abuts against the back of the patient 28 and the harness 14 is fastened by means of the waist strap 24 and buckle 26. With the patient 28 in a standing position, the suspension arm 12

extends vertically upwardly. A conventional drip-feed apparatus 32 which comprises a container 34, a flexible feed tube 36 and an intravenous applicator 38 is then mounted on the carrier 10.1 . The container 34 is suspended from hook formation 1 6 and is supported by support formation 18. The applicator 38 is

applied to the body of the patient 28 in conventional manner.

It will be appreciated that the patient 28 using the carrier 10.1 would

have both arms and hands free and would therefore be more mobile and

comfortable than with the known apparatus referred to in the

introduction of this specification.

The carrier 10.1 and apparatus 32 may be provided in kit form, so that both apparatus 10.1 and apparatus 32 may be disposed of, after use.

In figure 4, there is shown a second embodiment 10.2 of the carrier according to the invention. In this embodiment the suspension arm 12.2 extends upwardly and forwardly, in use. With this embodiment the patient would have even greater manoeuvrability in that he would be able to rest or lie on his back. When the patient lies down, the arm 12.2 still

extends upwardly to a level above the body of the patient. Under the

influence of gravity the container automatically adjusts its orientation relative to the arm 1 2.2 so that the drip-feed apparatus is still

operational.

In figure 5, there is shown a third embodiment 10.3 of the carrier

according to the invention. In this embodiment the suspension arm 12.3 is pivotably mounted on the core 20.3 of the harness 14.3 and which

core is located on the breast of the patient 28.3. The core 20.3 is

secured to the body of the patient 28.3 by straps 40. Accordingly,

should the patient want to lie down (as shown in the diagram), the arm

12.3 is pivoted in direction A, so that it still extends vertically upwardly

and so that the container (not shown) is still at a level above the body of the patient 28.3 and so that the drip-feed apparatus (not shown) remains operational. Means in the form of a clamping screw 42 or the like may be provided to secure the arm 12.3 in a selected position relative to the

harness 14.3.

It will be appreciated that there are many variations in detail on the apparatus and the kit according to the invention without departing from

the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

1 . A carrier for drip-feed apparatus for use on a body of an animal, the

carrier comprising a support removably mountable on the body to be

carried by the body; and a suspension arm secured to the support so that, in use, it extends upwardly, the arm comprising means for

removably holding drip-feed apparatus.

2. A carrier as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support comprises a

harness.

3. A carrier as claimed in claim 2 wherein the harness comprises a core,

two spaced shoulder engagement formations connected to the core and a waist belt, the suspension arm being secured to the core.

4. A carrier as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the

suspension arm comprises an elongate member made of stainless steel and wherein the means for removably holding the drip-feed apparatus

comprises a suspension hook at a free end of the elongate member.

5. A carrier as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the

suspension arm is adjustable in length.

6. A carrier as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the

suspension arm is rigidly connected to the support and, in use, extends

linearly and vertically upwardly.

7. A carrier as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the

suspension arm is rigidly connected to the support and in use, extends upwardly and forwardly relative to the body of the animal.

8. A carrier as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the suspension arm is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the support so that the orientation of the arm relative to the support may be adjusted.

9. A carrier as claimed in claim 8 wherein means for securing the arm

in a selected orientation relative to the support is provided.

10. A kit comprising drip-feed apparatus and a carrier for the drip-feed

apparatus for use on a body of an animal, the carrier comprising a

support removably mountable on the body to be carried by the body; and a suspension arm secured to the support so that, in use, it extends upwardly and away from the body, the arm comprising means for removably holding drip-feed apparatus.

1 1. A carrier for drip-feed apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying diagrams.

12. A kit substantially as herein described with reference to the

accompanying diagrams.